DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,124

AMERICAN BAG CORPORATION
A DIVISION OF MILLIKEN & COMPANY
WINFIELD, TENNESSEE

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended (19 USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of an investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either paragraph
(a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act must be met.
It is determined in this case that the requirements of (a)(2)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on October 3, 2003 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers of
American Bag Corporation, a division of Milliken & Company,
Winfield, Tennessee. The workers at the subject facility produce
airbags.
The investigation revealed that employment at the subject
division decreased from 2002 to August 2003.
Furthermore, the subject division shifted production of
airbags to a country (Mexico) that is a party to a free trade
agreement with the United States during the relevant period.
In addition, In order for the Department to issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group
eligibility requirements of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be
met. The Department has determined in this case that the
requirements of Section 246 have been met.
A significant number of workers at the firm are age 50 or over
and possess skills that are not easily transferable. Competitive
conditions within the industry are adverse.



Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that there was a shift in production
from the workers' firm or subdivision to Mexico of articles that
are like or directly competitive with those produced by the subject
firm or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions of the Act,
I make the following certification:
"All workers of American Bag Corporation, a division of
Milliken & Company, Winfield, Tennessee who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after September 17,
2002 through two years from the date of certification are
eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223
of the Trade Act of 1974, and are also eligible to apply for
alternative trade adjustment assistance under Section 246 of
the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed at Washington, D.C., this 15th day of October 2003

/s/ Richard Church

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RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance